The Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into Poetica Coffee, a Brooklyn establishment that publicly targeted Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., over his support for Israel, according to multiple reports. The probe comes as records show the coffee shop and its owner face hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid state taxes and recurring health code violations.
Poetica Coffee owner Parviz Mukhamadkulov, an Uzbek immigrant, previously issued a now-deleted social media post attacking Goldman, who is Jewish, by calling his purchase "genocide juice" and stating the shop would not serve "racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers." The post also referenced campaign contributions from AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Federal Election Commission records show Mukhamadkulov contributed $35 to Graham Platner's Maine Senate campaign. Platner, a Democrat, has faced scrutiny over scandals unrelated to this matter.
NYC health inspection records indicate one Poetica Coffee location received violations each year since 2023, including citations for filth flies, improper sewage disposal, inadequate staff hygiene, and evidence of rats in food areas. The Washington Free Beacon reported that as of June 20, Mukhamadkulov and the business owed New York State hundreds of thousands in unpaid taxes. Fox News Digital contacted the state Department of Taxation and Finance for comment.
Mukhamadkulov deleted his social media accounts following backlash over the post targeting Goldman. Archived posts reviewed by the Free Beacon included statements celebrating the death of an Israeli Defense Forces combat engineer and accusations that Israel committed 9/11.
What the Left Is Saying
Civil rights advocates have largely framed the DOJ investigation as an appropriate government response to potential religious discrimination against a sitting member of Congress. Groups monitoring antisemitic incidents say targeting a Jewish elected official based on his policy positions raises civil rights concerns regardless of broader political disagreements.
Some progressive commentators have noted that the simultaneous disclosure of tax and health code issues could suggest selective enforcement, arguing that small businesses commonly face such violations without triggering federal probes. They question whether the attention on Poetica Coffee reflects genuine civil rights concerns or an attempt to silence criticism of Israeli government policies.
Goldman has not commented publicly on the matter beyond declining interview requests from Fox News Digital.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators say the shop's treatment of Goldman represents clear antisemitic discrimination targeting a Jewish congressman based on his religion. They argue the DOJ probe appropriately addresses civil rights protections for elected officials facing hostile treatment due to their identity.
Critics note that Mukhamadkulov's archived social media posts celebrating an IDF soldier's death and comparing Israel to Nazi Germany demonstrate explicit bias beyond policy disagreement. House Republicans have called for hearings examining what they describe as rising antisemitism targeting Jewish public officials.
Former federal prosecutors say civil rights protections for members of Congress are well-established, and the DOJ investigation could examine whether the shop's actions constitute illegal discrimination against a government official based on religion or national origin.
What the Numbers Show
FEC records confirm Mukhamadkulov made one $35 contribution to Platner's campaign. The Washington Free Beacon reported Poetica Coffee and its owner owed "hundreds of thousands" in unpaid state taxes as of June 20, though an exact figure was not specified. NYC health inspection data shows this location received violations in 2023, December 2024, and June 2025, with multiple repeat citations for the same issues across years.
Poetica Coffee has at least two Brooklyn locations operating under the same ownership, according to business registration records. Neither Mukhamadkulov nor his representatives have publicly responded to requests for comment from multiple news organizations.
The DOJ civil rights division handles cases involving discrimination against individuals based on protected characteristics including religion and national origin. The investigation remains in early stages with no public timeline for findings.
The Bottom Line
The DOJ probe adds Poetica Coffee's situation to a growing list of cases where businesses face federal scrutiny over treatment of elected officials. The simultaneous disclosure of tax liabilities and health violations creates parallel legal challenges unrelated to the civil rights investigation.
What happens next: New York state tax authorities could move to collect outstanding debts, while NYC health inspectors will conduct follow-up visits at Poetica locations. The DOJ investigation will determine whether federal civil rights laws were violated by targeting Goldman based on his religion or support for Israel policies.
Watch for: Any statements from Goldman responding publicly, potential congressional interest in the case from either party, and developments in the state tax collection matter.